Spoiled Fans

I guess maybe Bronco and his boys brought this on themselves. Despite what Bronco’s definition of perfection is, to everyone else a “Quest for Perfection” meant that the Cougars sole focus this year was to go undefeated. Maybe they painted their own targets.

However, what surprises and appalls me is the shear amount of anger and bitterness that has been directed at this team since that pitiful night in Texas. On Saturday I attended BYU’s first game since the disaster in Fort Worth. Now I will admit, I thought the Cougars were due for a big day with the Rebels of UNLV coming into town. A tie score at halftime definitely had me worried. With the clock approaching 6:30 in the fourth quarter, UNLV’s Omar Clayton connected with Ryan Wolfe for a 15 yard touchdown and a 35-34 UNLV lead. Some fans took the opportunity to publicly voice their dislike for this current group of Cougars. One man jumped up and started yelling at Mendenhall (as if the coach could hear him) while two little boys sat watching, wondering if this is how one acts at a football game. Another “fan” jumped to his feet, placed his hands around mouth, and proceeded to tell Cougar quarterback Max Hall that he (with his 4 touchdowns and 80% completion percentage) was the worst player he had seen in years. The anger must have been contagious, because yet another “fan” jumped up and swore that he wouldn’t donate another dollar to the university or its football program. Despite the criticisms coming from the stands, Max Hall drove the Cougars down the field for a touchdown and a two-point conversion. At this moment, something strange occurred. No one celebrated. My brother Bryan and I jumped to our feet in excitement and were joined by a few fans here and there, but overall the stadium sat still.

This is why I hate BYU fans. Yes, I said it. I fully understand why others hate BYU. It has little to do with religion and more to do with the fact that our fans suck. BYU fans are the most arrogant group of fans when the team is winning. We get in other peoples faces and hold up a #1 sign. We constantly talk about the BCS and how good we are, with little to back up our argument. I have watched BYU football for 18 years and I can honestly say the only great team we have had during that time is the 14-1, 1996 team.

However, fans will be fans and most fans are annoying. My biggest beef with Cougars fans, they are FICKLE. Did we learn nothing from the Gary Crowton era of a few years back? Do you, Joe Cougar Fan, realize that BYU is 7-1 this season? Do you realize that since John Beck’s pass was deflected and intercepted in double overtime at Boston College two years ago, the Cougars are 28-3? They are 17-1 in their last eighteen games.

I am confused as to how a group of fans who think of themselves as being so intelligent, can forget what we endured just a few years ago. Gary Crowton’s 2001 team flamed out late in the season and finished the year with two straight losses. The 2002 team carried on the ’01 teams momentum and finished at 5-7. 2003 = 4-8., 2004 = 5-6, 2005 = 6-6. Over a 49 game span, the team’s record was 20-29. In the midst of these seasons included some really humdingers. A 72-45 loss at Hawaii. A 52-9 loss at Air Force. A 58-13 loss to Colorado State followed by a 50-12 loss to Boise State. Oh yeah, don’t forget the 52-21 loss to Utah in 2004.

My hope is that the current “struggles” of the football team with skim off the ugly fat that is the current group of bandwagon Cougar fans. For those of you who are somewhere in the middle, humble yourselves. It is much better to beat UNLV in a close game than it is to lose. It is much better to be 7-1 than to be 3-5. Do you remember why Beck to Harline meant so much? Because the previous four years had been so bad. Enjoy being 7-1 because we won’t be this good forever.

Big Game Tonight

Sorry I have been away for a while. However, the sports season is in full swing.

I have to admit, I am a little surprised to see my Red Sox down 1-2 in the ALCS. I thought after winning Game 1, that Beckett and / or Lester would have won their starts. At worst, I felt the series would be 2-1 Boston. Yet, here we are down 1-2 in the series and tonight's game suddenly becoming critical.

I have taken abuse all day about my boy Timmy pitching tonight, but I have to have faith. I wouldn't be much of a fan if I didn't believe the Sox could get it done tonight. Timmy Wakefield needs to pitch well tonight, no doubt about it. If he has a bad game, I believe the Sox will lose. However, if he pitches just an average game, I think the Sox will win big. My senses tell me that tonight Drew, Bay, and Pedroia will play well. No such luck for Papi. He will continue to struggle. No worries, as the Red Sox win it 7-3.